stayc main image

GloRilla Goes Gospel: Why Her Kirk Franklin Collab Is Causing a Ruckus

August 11, 2025

When Memphis rapper GloRilla's October 2024 debut album Glorious, one track left everyone talking; "Rain Down on Me," featuring gospel heavyweights Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra...

Read more
stayc main image

Machine Gun Kelly Reveals Taylor Swift’s Candid Super Bowl Moment as Chiefs’ Dreams Crumbled!

August 11, 2025

When the Kansas City Chiefs' three-peat dreams collapsed at Super Bowl LIX, the real drama wasn't just on the field it was in Travis Kelce's VIP box where Taylor Swift and Machine Gun Kelly were...

Read more
stayc main image

Jelly Roll, Jonas Brothers, & More Unite for Stand Up To Cancer’s Nashville Debut Special!

August 10, 2025

In a powerful fusion of music and philanthropy, some of today’s most celebrated artists are stepping onto the stage not just to perform, but to make a difference. Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) returns...

Read more
stayc main image

A long time coming,’ Canadian artists applaud first-ever Latin category in 2026 Juno Awards

August 10, 2025

The Juno Awards are officially recognizing the powerful rise of Latin music in Canada. Starting in 2026, the annual awards ceremony will feature a brand-new category: Latin Music Recording of the...

Read more
stayc main image

Laufey & Clairo Just Dropped the Hottest Swiftie Takes (Literally) with Battle Spicy Wings on ‘Hot Ones Versus’

August 7, 2025

Read more
stayc main image

“I Hated Music”: Yvette Young Gets Candid About Burnout & Tour Pressures

August 7, 2025

Guitarist, songwriter, and frontwoman of Covet, Yvette Young, is known for her intricate tapping technique, genre-bending sound, that creates a calm presence. But in a new interview, the math rock...

Read more
stayc main image

Is Contemporary Christian Music, CCM, Just Secular in Disguise?

August 7, 2025

A June 13, 2025, Baptist News Global article highlights the long-standing conflicts between traditional Black gospel music and contemporary Christian music (CCM), which are exacerbated by racial...

Read more
stayc main image

What Really Led to Zak Starkey’s Confusing ‘Firing’ from The Who

August 7, 2025

In April 2025, The Who unexpectedly fired long‑time drummer Zak Starkey during a Royal Albert Hall show, reportedly over performance issues. Starkey, son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr, had been...

Read more
stayc main image

MTV VMAs snubs and shocks: See who was left out of nominations

August 7, 2025

The 2025 MTV Video Music Award nominations have been announced, boasting a diverse lineup with 33 first-time nominees. Pop icons Taylor Swift and Beyoncé even earned artist of the year nods without...

Read more
stayc main image

Can a Christian Rapper Go Viral Without Compromise? DC3 Just Did

August 7, 2025

From church pews in Northampton to crowds in Zimbabwe, DC3 is more than just a popular TikTok artist; he is a devout musician who is setting a new standard for UK rap. Through ingenious videos...

Read more
stayc main image

KATSEYE Makes History at Lollapalooza 2025 With Record-Breaking Festival Debut

August 7, 2025

Under the blazing Chicago sun, HYBE’s rising stars KATSEYE and BOYNEXTDOOR didn’t just perform at Lollapalooza—they owned it. From viral on-stage chemistry to career-defining sets, the two groups...

Read more
stayc main image

Lil Yachty Labels Drake The "Biggest Rapper Of All Time"

August 7, 2025

Lil Yachty isn’t shy about showing love for his close friend Drake. During a recent appearance on the MdFoodieBoyz podcast, the Some Sexy Songs 4 U artist labeled the Toronto superstar...

Read more

Automating a Drum Bus in Reaper to Create Dynamic Room Effects

stayc main image

When creating dynamic drum sounds in Reaper, automating effects is a powerful way to shape how the drums interact with the mix. A common technique is to make the drums sound like they’re in the back of the room at the beginning of a song, then bring them forward as the track progresses. This can be achieved by automating sends and effects on the drum bus to apply these changes only at certain points in the mix.

Here’s how to automate a drum bus in Reaper to create a "back of the room" effect at the start of your song.

Step 1: Set Up a Drum Bus

First, route all drum tracks to a dedicated drum bus. This allows you to process the entire drum kit together and control its overall sound. The bus will serve as a central hub for applying effects and making the drums sound cohesive.

Step 2: Choose the Room Effect

To create a "back of the room" feel, a combination of reverb, EQ, and light compression can be used:

  • Reverb: Apply a large-room reverb to simulate the distant sound. Adjust the wet/dry mix to control how much reverb is applied.
  • EQ: Roll off higher frequencies (above 5-8kHz) to reduce the presence of the drums, making them sound further away.
  • Compression: Subtle compression can help smooth out any transient peaks, enhancing the ambient feel.

Step 3: Create a Separate FX Chain

To isolate the room effect to the beginning of the song, a separate effects chain can be set up:

  1. Add a new send from the drum tracks to a separate bus dedicated to the reverb and EQ ("room effect bus").
  2. Apply the room reverb and EQ to this new bus.
  3. Automate the send volume so that the room effect is applied only at the desired point in the song.

Step 4: Automate the Send Volume

Next, automate the send volume to control when the room effect is heard:

  1. Open the Track Envelopes/Automation panel (the envelope icon) for the drum bus.
  2. Locate the Send Volume for the room effect bus.
  3. Create automation points at the beginning of the song to increase the send volume, applying the room effect. As the song progresses, gradually reduce the send volume to zero, phasing out the room effect.

This technique ensures that the room reverb and EQ are applied only when needed, allowing the drums to transition from a distant sound to a more present one as the track develops.

Step 5: Fine-Tune the Automation

After setting up the automation, listen back to the track and fine-tune the transitions. Adjust the automation curve and fade-out times for a smooth change between the distant and upfront drum sound. You can also tweak the reverb decay or EQ settings to create a more natural progression.

Final Thoughts

Automating a drum bus in Reaper to apply effects at specific points can add depth and movement to a mix. Using techniques like reverb sends and EQ automation can bring creative dimension to the drums, making them feel like they’re in the back of the room at the start of a track and evolving them into a stronger, more forward sound as the song progresses.

This approach allows for flexibility and control, giving your drum mix a dynamic and engaging character without the need for constant manual adjustments.

Automating a Drum Bus in Reaper to Create Dynamic Room Effectsautomating-a-drum-bus-in-reaper-to-create-dynamic-room-effectsJeremiah SalepOct 06, 2024